A steward of everything green, she’s been concerned about issues such as global warming and the impact of deforestation way before Earth Hour became an international environmental movement.

Koski grew up in rural Ontario where shopping locally meant walking out the door to gather potatoes in the field and eggs from the chicken coop. These days, Koski grows veggies in her own garden.

Four years ago, she gave up her car and is an obsessive recycler. Her husband, Claude Barnes, and children Ryan, Aidan and Elora, along with Finn the family dog wouldn’t think of depositing a can in the wrong bin.

As green as they come, you won’t catch the television producer in clunky negative heel sandals. “I don’t wear (the sandals) and I do shave my legs,” she said with a laugh.

Koski’s sense of humour helps her spread the message about climate change. Her methods may be a hoot but her intention is serious — to bring people together so government will pay attention and tackle the issue.

Instead of an in-your-face fundamentalist, this Earth Mother prefers entertaining her community as a means to the end. “What’s the saying — you catch more flies using honey than vinegar?”

Koski works in her Roncesvalles Village neighbourhood. What started as a cocktails and cheese get-together with friends at the couple’s Indian Grove Rd. home to mark the first Earth Hour in Australia in 2007 has grown into a rocking block party this year for all Torontonians.

The idea for a community celebration was planted while Koski was a member of Green 13, a residents’ environmental group in neighbouring Ward 13. With support from her city councillor, Gord Perks, MPP Cheri DiNovo, MP Peggy Nash, the local BIA and an army of volunteers, events like candlelight walks along Roncesvalles Ave. have become a hit.

A surprise flash mob organized with residents of Parkdale Village caught the attention of the World Wildlife Fund Canada in 2011. For her commitment, Koski was among seven Canadians, two in Ontario, named 2013 Earth Hour team captains.

Last year, Koski succeeded in having a 125-year-old tree on Roncesvalles Ave. designated under the Ontario Heritage Tree Program. “Trees are the healing medicine for carbon emissions,” she said.

When Koski isn’t blogging about Roncy, writing and editing her online health and wellness magazine or producing television shows at the couple’s Keep It In The Family Productions, she’s doing research on issues such as the impact of the earthquake in Haiti.

On March 23, the World Wildlife Fund has organized an all-ages Earth Hour concert in Roncesvalles Village. It will follow the community lantern walk which starts at 8 p.m. from both the Revue Cinema and Grafton Ave. Park, meeting at Wright Ave. and Roncesvalles where the concert will be held.

Featured performers are Liam Titcomb, the Lucas Stagg Band, Etobicoke School for the Arts show choir, SPLASH, and “Earth Hour Anthem” composer Andrew Huang. The CBC’s Garvia Bailey will emcee.

A proud Koski will be there in the thick of her “eco-forward community” which she said has embraced the event and its call to action. That’s why she’s honoured to represent her community as an Earth Hour team captain. After all, she’s the loudest cheerleader for the cause.

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